Fears over rising tension among Limerick drug gangs with 'access to serious weaponry'

Gardaí have visited a number of individuals in the area to deliver garda information messages warning them that there is a threat to their lives.

Gardaí stepped up armed patrols in parts of Limerick City on Tuesday in an effort to keep a lid on rising tensions among rival gangs who are said to have “access to serious weaponry”.

The recent upsurge in tensions involves young associates of rival gangs who have become paranoid and erratic due to their cocaine use, sources said.

Photographs shared on social media showed a convoy of garda vehicles on their way to conduct raids in St Mary’s Park after a number of violent incidents.

These include car windows being smashed and an attempt to burn a car after tensions flared during a city soccer match.

The rival groups, led by experienced senior drug dealers, previously feuded for a decade from 2000, leading to a number of killings but eventually called a truce. They have since concentrated on earning vast profits from the drugs trade.

However, young males associated with the gangs have become involved in local clashes and verbal exchanges on social media, fueling tensions.

Gardaí have visited a number of individuals to deliver garda information messages warning them that they are subject of  threats to their lives.

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A large garda contingent swooped on flashpoint areas on Tuesday in a “show of strength” and a bid to calm the situation, said a source.

Garda sources, as well as local community activists, said they are now concerned recent tensions could spill over and lead to further violence.

“The senior drug dealers see themselves as businessmen, but the younger lads are drug users as well as dealers and they are highly erratic,” said a source.

“These younger guys don't care about jail, the difference between these guys and the older brigade is that they are so warped from cocaine they are completely erratic.

“The older brigade don't want to go back to what it was like 20 years ago, but all it takes is one act of violence, one person to be killed, and all bets are off then.

“Some of these lads have access to serious criminal connections and serious weaponry, that’s the concern now.

“The younger members of the feuding families are winding each other up and there is a realisation in An Garda Síochána that this could potentially get quite serious.

“There was a lot of raids in St Mary’s Park Tuesday, and the gardaí have been keeping a presence in Moyross, the armed garda units are back around again, which is reassuring for people and which is what you want to see happening.

“The presence in St Mary’s Park the other day was a signal from gardaí to these young crews that we are not going back 15/20 years.” 

The source said CCTV cameras which have been strategically located in flashpoint areas around the gang’s bases, are key for gardaí to keep track of certain individuals.

“The cameras are so important because they are what keeps a lid on all of this, and we’ve all seen recent discussions about the legality of CCTV cameras and what impact they potentially have on civil liberties — but tell that to the people who were living in a war zone in Limerick 15 years ago.

“We would be back to square one if it wasn't for the cameras, we really would, and no one wants that.” 

A garda spokesman said: “An Garda Síochána does not comment on ongoing investigations.”